Product Design and Innovation at SMU is an interdisciplinary environment for learning about design and learning to design. The practice of user-centered product design and innovation lives at the confluence of industrial design, product engineering, marketing, and business to create products and experiences that people need, want, and desire. In collaboration with local companies and organizations, students and faculty practice design while bringing innovative solutions to challenging problems.

PROJECTS

Project emphasis is on innovative physical products, especially those that require a multi-disciplinary approach. We work with non-profits, entrepreneurs, small companies, and large global corporations. Our approach leverages and finds convergence in the expertise of the Lyle School of Engineering, the Cox School of Business, and the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University.

Project partners include:

 
 
 

ACTIVITIES

Product Design and Innovation hosts a breadth of activities to connect, encourage, and educate the product design and innovation community.

Speakers – from leaders to provocateurs, designers are spurred on by new thoughts and ideas or simply new ways of looking at our challenging world.

Workshops – designs and innovators love to do! Whether learning a new skill, tool, method or approach to design, getting your hands dirty is a great way to improve.

Seminars – we all benefit from a breadth of experiences and a deep knowledge of methods and tools. Sharing, discussing, and debating are great ways for design to be elevated.

 

Partners

 
 
 
 

Product Design and Innovation Track is available in the MADI program!

(Look for the track to be soon offered in the MS in Mechanical Engineering program.)

 
 

COURSES

PDI classes currently being offered are:

  • Innovation and Design Attitude - DSIN 7331 (Typically both Spring and Fall Semesters)

  • Product Design Studio - DSIN 7332 (Typically Fall Semester)

  • Integrated Product Design Studio - DSIN 7334 (Typically Spring Semester)

  • Research in Design Theory & Methodology - DSIN 7390 (Typically Summer Semester)

  • Organizational Innovation and Change by Design - MNO 6222 (Typically Spring Semester, Mod B)

 
 
 
 

Students wishing to pursue a formal education in product design and innovation can utilize the MS in Applied Science offered by SMU’s Lyle School of Engineering.* Through direct advising, a student will apply a balance of courses and experiences to complement their current knowledge.


*Curriculum is being formalized for a new degree program in the near future:
MS in Product Design and Innovation

DESIGN AND BUILD PROJECTS

Local companies are often looking for assistance on unique design and/or build projects. PDI connects with entrepreneurs, start-ups, small businesses, and multi-nationals to design innovations that meet the needs, wants, and desires of users. These are great opportunities to implement classroom learnings while collaborating with professionals and producing real, impactful results.

Depending on the needs of the company, these can be guided internships or short-term projects any time of the year.

RESEARCH

PDI provides opportunities for students and scholars to explore the theories and methods used by designers and innovators. Intensive summer research opportunities are available for student scholars through Engaged Learning Fellowship and Lyle’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program

Students wanting to gain course credit and pursue their own research interest while understanding the complexities and challenges of academic research are encouraged to take DSIN 7390 - Research in Design Theory & Methodology.

PDI COUNCIL

The SMU Product Design and Innovation (PDI) Council is a gathering of individuals and organizations who understand the necessity of innovative product design and its potential for impact, both in Dallas-Fort Worth and beyond.

 

The Council’s Purpose

  • to inform the product design and innovation community of thought leadership in product design theories, methods, and application

  • to inspire designers and future designers to pursue high-impact product design and innovation opportunities

  • to build relationships among the product design and innovation community, particularly between leadership, SMU students, and faculty

 

For more information on how to join the PDI Council, contact PDI Director: Dr. Seth Orsborn